It’s inevitable and influential. The custom scene has been growing ever since while fully recognizing each and every talent our country has to offer. Various styles and executions have been showcased here and there, while we see them online, and when we meet our fellow custom riders on the street, still we stand in this common ground, balancing our passion for two wheels.

Parked on the Right Side of the Highway

Last time we paid a visit San Juan, La Union, we were able to see one converted TMX155 to a surf-Tracker owned by a top local surfer, Ian Saguan. Based on our conversations, right there and then, I could tell that from what he believes in, the culture of custom bike and surf would spread like wildfire on this well renowned surf spot 5 hours away from Manila in the North.

Is it just me, or do I share this habit of keeping my eyes peeled on the road for some luck that I get to see a good/rare/custom motorcycle, whether parked on moving? Way past Pangasinan, we were about to reach La Union grounds, a little bit to the right side of the highway, parked a ‘white-tanked tracker bike’. And then I bursted into laughter, recalling Ian Saguan, telling me last time, “..tignan mo dadami yan sila dito…”.

Fast forward after our endeavors, I didn’t get the chance to meet the owner of the ‘white-tanked tracker’. So I went straight to Ian asking who owned the bike. I went online and there I was able to confirm what I found out. I was able to contact Vinni Sanchez, the owner of the Custom Honda TMX155 Tracker.

A Pilot’s Bike Dream

We have been talking for quite some time and found out Vinni is involved on Aviations in San Fernando. He quickly shared us that he has been following Cafe Racer Philippines and learned a lot from the community. Gathering enough information, collaborating with fellow enthusiasts and doing his research, he was able to conceptualize a neat tracker build.

When asked about the bike, he quickly shared, “..na buo ko lang to day by day, siguro mga 1 week, sa sobrang excited ko. I bought it brand new TMX125. All parts are from here except for the muffler..”

He told us that Ian Saguan shared the bike concept with him, and all because of pure excitement, he was able to make it in just a week.

What we could say about this Tracker bike, was a good result of proper research and sourcing skilled people to help out. In a part deprived province like La Union, there are ways to make your bike dream become a reality.

Like many local builders suggest to somehow learn and understand the process, Vinni has shown one good example of learning and digging deep in to having a custom bike, collaborating with people with things that he cannot do, like bending sheets of metal, transferring electrical currents to other parts of the bike, sewing leather, and other things etc. Yet, he was able to do so, again, he is a Pilot by profession.

It’s not that extravagant like most of the best bikes that we see online but the end result of the whole process made a man happy and gave expression to his desire to ride.

Experience is all part of the culture we all share and when we are so full of it, we pass it on.